The state Department of Environmental Conservation will temporarily suspended purchases of sport licenses and registrations, as well as reporting abilities, after Thursday, Dec. 26.

The temporary suspension will allow the DEC to implement a new computer system for licensing. The transition is expected to last one to two weeks, according to a DEC press release.

The DEC contract with its current provider will end Dec. 31, at which time the provider will no longer offer sporting licenses. The new system will be “part of a larger multi-agency effort in New York State to consolidate licensing systems and facilitate securing licenses in New York,” the press release says.

Beginning Dec. 26 the DEC will not sell hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses, according to Commissioner Joe Martens. Recreational marine fishing registration is also suspended, as is reporting of harvested game.

Hunters will be given a seven-day grace period to report harvests once the new system is up and running.

“In order to transfer the most current data and transition to the new system, we need to completely shut down license sales and game harvest reporting,” said Martens. “The ability to purchase a sporting license, associated stamp or permit, register to recreationally fish in New York’s marine waters or report a harvested deer or bear will be temporary and the public will be notified as soon the new system is accessible.”

Hunters, anglers, and trappers must purchase their licenses, stamps, and permits prior to Dec. 26 in order to hunt or fish during the blackout period.

Licenses are available at 1-866-933-2257 or nyfgisales.appsolgrp.com/fgnyia/html/index.jsp.